Chicago Cubs defeat New York Mets, 9-5

If the season ended today, the Cubs would be the Mets' opponent in the first round of the National League playoffs next week.

As the Mets learned the hard way last September, the season does not end until it ends.

Even if it appears more and more that the end is near.

The not-again Mets opened the final regular-season home stand at Shea with a null performance circa 2007, getting pounded, 9-5, by the Cubs Monday night before a restless and increasingly panicky cro...

To add injury scare to their latest insult of a pennant drive, Carlos Beltran dinged his knee and his rib-cage while crashing into the wall after catching Mark DeRosa's drive in the seventh inning of the Mets' 9-5 loss to the Cubs Monday night.

The star center fielder remained in the game and ripped a single to left in the bottom of the inning, and hopes to be available to play tonight.

"I'm more concerned about my knee because it's swollen and it hurts. But right no...